News 18:00

BULLETIN 27 August 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A Statistics SA report shows a sharp increase in individual crimes over five years
# Solidarity unveils an initiative to connect skilled workers with government and private sector roles
# And, soccer: Injured Messi is out of Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia

# Statistics South Africa’s 2023-’24 Victims of Crime Report has revealed significant rises in individual crimes over the past five years. Statistician-general Risenga Maluleke reported that 1.1-million people experienced street robbery, which is a seven-percent increase. Consumer fraud affected 700-thousand people, up 16-percent, while assault cases rose by 26-percent to 650-thousand. Maluleke also warns that hijacking and sexual assault saw substantial increases:

# Trade union Solidarity says it has launched a new platform to address skill shortages by connecting skilled workers with government and private sector needs. The initiative aims to connect skilled professionals, focusing on critical areas like engineering, medicine, and information technology. Solidarity’s CEO, Dirk Hermann, says the platform, which builds on past successes, is free to use and designed to align skills with job opportunities for all qualified individuals: 

# Treasury is reviewing up to 60 grants for municipalities and provinces to enhance funding for needs like the just energy transition. According to deputy Finance minister, David Masondo, the review includes ensuring transparency and effectiveness in grant spending, and reforming regulations for public private partnerships. Treasury is also developing new funding models for municipalities amid South Africa’s changing energy landscape. Electricity and Energy minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, emphasised that paying municipal debts is crucial for their financial viability and service delivery.

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta says he is shocked and deeply disturbed by a recent photograph of two learners of Plumstead High School in Cape Town that has gone viral on social media. The two were photographed brandishing weapons and alcohol while dressed in their uniform. The Western Cape Education Department says the matter is being investigated and the learners have been suspended. Makaneta says this behaviour cannot be tolerated at schools:

# Soccer: Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, is injured and won’t play in the World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia. The 37-year-old injured his ankle when Argentina beat Colombia in the final of the Copa America last month. Paulo Dybala returns for the first time since March last year. The world champion is currently on top of the qualifying table for South America, with the top-six teams going through automatically. The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-75-cents and the euro at 19-rand-82-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-49-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-890-dollars-68-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-516-dollars-80-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 80-dollars-60-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….